MXPA02007607A

MXPA02007607A - Package with multiple chambers and valves.

Info

Publication number: MXPA02007607A
Application number: MXPA02007607A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Timothy R Socier
Original assignee: Seaquist Closures
Priority date: 2000-02-11
Filing date: 2001-01-23
Publication date: 2003-03-27
Also published as: CN1213913C; AU2970001A; US20010013523A1; US6321947B2; AR028900A1; JP2003522682A; HK1056350A1; CA2399613A1; CZ20022713A3; WO2001058771A1; EP1261530A1; CN1422226A; RU2262473C2; AU2001229700B2; PL356833A1; PL202388B1; BR0108276A; RU2002124133A; US6398077B1; EP1261530A4

Abstract

A dispensing system is provided for two, constituent, fluent materials which are stored separately and then combined in a dispensing process to form a combination product. The dispensing system includes a container (30) having at least two interior storage chambers (40), and each chamber has a separate discharge opening (50). Associated with each discharge opening (50) is a separate, flexible valve (32). Each valve has an initially closed dispensing orifice which opens in response to a differential between the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve facing toward the associated discharge opening and the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve facing away from the associated discharge opening. In a preferred embodiment, a top (38) is provided downstream of the valve (32). The top (38) is movable between (1) a closed position to occlude a dispensing flow path downstream of the valves, and (2) an open position which permits flow to be discharged from the system.

Description

PACKAGE WITH MULTIPLE CMARAS AND VALVES TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a system for distributing a product from a container. This system is designed to allow the combination of two or more individual flowable constituents within the system and to distribute from the system a product that is formed from a combination of the constituents. The system is especially suitable for use in a flexible container which is squeezable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS EXPOSED. BY THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE There is a wide variety of packages that include (1) a container, (2) a dispersion discharge structure that extends as a unitary part of, or as a union to, the container, and (3) a flowing product contained within the container. One type of package employs a single dispersion valve to discharge a single stream of fluent product (which may be a liquid, cream, or particulate product). See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,409,144 which discloses a package that includes a slit, elastic, flexible valve at one end of a generally flexible bottle or container. The The valve normally closes and can support the weight of the product when the container is completely inverted, so that the product will not flow through the valve unless the container is tightened. The valve may also be employed within a closure behind (i.e., upstream of) a perforated divider plate. Such a system works particularly well with fine dust. The powder can be squeezed through the valve and then through the openings in the divider plate into a dispersed discharge design or distribution design. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,676,289. In some applications, it may be desirable to provide a package in which two or more constituents can be stored separately before use and which can subsequently allow the dispersion of the constituents together as a combination product. The constituents may be materials that react with each other to form a product that requires substantially immediate use, and such materials must move away from contacting each other during storage. Some conventional packages of this type depend on a physical barrier between the internal dispersion passages to separate the constituent materials. The barrier must be handled, and at least partially removed or transferred, to allow mixing of the constituents before dispersion. It may be desirable to provide an improved system in which the constituents can be maintained in separate storage compartments and which can be combined subsequently without the need to remove a physical barrier. It may also be desirable to provide means for sealing the system to prevent inadvertent discharge of the constituents during manufacture, shipping, handling, etc. A system must be easily operable by the user and not interfere with the combination of the constituent materials when it is desired to distribute the constituent materials. together as a combined product. It can also be beneficial if such an improved system can be provided to accommodate the dispersion of the combined constituent materials as a flowing product through a structure that can be relatively and easily manufactured and installed in the package. Such an improved dispersion system may also be preferable to have the ability to facilitate dispersion of the constituent materials when the interior of the container is pressurized (for example, when the container is tightened or when the internal pressure of the container is increased by other means) . It can also be advantageous if an improved system can accommodate bottles, containers, or other systems of packaging that have a variety of shapes and that are constructed from a variety of materials. In addition, it may be desirable if the improved system can accommodate efficient, high-quality, high-volume manufacturing techniques with a reduced product reject rate to produce a system with consistent operating characteristics. The present invention provides an improved system that can accommodate designs that have the benefits and features discussed above.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system for distributing a product, formed as a combination of two or more constituent materials, from a package. The system can accommodate the discharge of fluent materials such as liquids, creams, or particulate material, including powders. The system works well to store the plurality of constituent materials as separate quantities that are not combined during storage. During use, only the quantities of constituent materials that will be distributed are combined during the dispersion process. In addition, in a preferred form of the invention, a A divider plate structure with openings is provided at the package end to effect a desired design dispersion or distribution of the product that is formed from the combination of the separated constituents. Additionally, in a preferred form of the invention, a positive closing seal is provided in the system to prevent any out-of-pack flow unless and until the closing seal is manually manipulated for an open condition. The dispersion system includes a container having at least two interior storage chambers. Each storage chamber is adapted to contain a different constituent or flowable material. Each storage chamber includes a separate, associated discharge opening. Associated with each discharge opening is a separate flexible valve. There is a separate valve for each discharge opening. Each valve is sealed in its associated discharge opening. Each valve has an initially closed dispersion orifice that opens in response to a differential between the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve that faces the associated discharge opening and the pressure acting against the closed valve side which is facing away from the associated discharge opening.

The valves are preferably identical and typically open substantially simultaneously if the pressure increases in both storage chambers substantially simultaneously. The material or constituent in each storage chamber is forced through the valve associated with each storage chamber and combines with the other material or constituent in a region under the valves. In a preferred embodiment, the region downstream of the valves is covered by an upper part defining an internal dispersion flow path. The upper part includes an occlusion chamber that (1) occludes the dispersion flow path when the upper part is in a closed position, and (2) opens the scattering flow path when the upper part moves away from the position closed. Preferably, the upper part also defines a dispersion divider plate having openings at the end of the dispersion flow path to effect the dispersion of the flowing product that is discharged from the system. Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the drawings annexes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings that are part of the specification, and in which similar numbers are used to designate similar parts therefrom, FIGURE 1 is a fragmented perspective view of a first embodiment of the system. dispersion of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective, exploded, fragmented view of the first embodiment of the dispersion system shown in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view, exploded, partially in cross section, of the components of the first embodiment of the dispersion system of the present invention shown in FIGURES 1 and 2; FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the dispersion system of the first embodiment of the dispersion system taken generally along the plane of 4-4 in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 5 is a top plan view taken generally along the plane 5-5 in FIGURE 4; FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along plane 6-6 in FIGURE 5; FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 7-7 in FIGURE 6; FIGURE 8 is a similar view of FIGURE 5, but FIGURE 8 s the system in an open condition, while FIGS. 1-7 sthe system in a closed condition; FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 9-9 in FIGURE 8; FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary, side elevational view taken generally along the plane 10-10 in FIGURE 8; FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 11-11 in FIGURE 9; FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary view of a portion of one of the valves s closed in an inverted orientation that may occur when the package reverses during the dispersion process. FIGURE 13 is a similar view of FIGURE 12, but FIGURE 13 s the valve in a substantially open configuration that disperses a product which is pressurized from an interior region above the valve; FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view, fragmented of a second embodiment of a dispersion system of the present invention; FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 15-15 in FIGURE 14; FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a dispersion system of the present invention; FIGURE 17 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 17-17 in FIGURE 16; FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a dispersion system of the present invention; FIGURE 19 is a top perspective view of a retainer plate employed in the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and FIGURE 20 is a perspective, lower view of the holding plate illustrated in FIGURE 19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Although this invention is susceptible to modality in different ways, this specification and the accompanying drawings describe only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to limit itself to the modalities thus described, ver. The scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims. The first embodiment of the dispersion system of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-13 in the form of a package comprising a container 30, two valves 32 slit, a plate 34 carrying valves, a closure body 36, and a closing upper part 38. As s in FIGURE 6, the container 30 includes two storage chambers 40 divided by a central wall 42. Each storage chamber 40 is defined in part by the intermediate dividing wall 42, and also in part by an outer wall 44 defining a larger, outer portion of the container 30. As can be seen in FIGURE 2, the container includes a closed, upper end wall or stage 48 that defines two discharge openings 50. The container 30 also has collars 52 spaced apart each projecting upward from the platen 48 around a discharge opening 50. The upper end of the container 30 below the end wall or plate 48 defines a reduced diameter, generally the cylindrical wall 56 from which project two opposingly directed retention flanges 58 (FIGURE 2).

The container 30 may have more than two storage chambers 40 (FIGURE 6), each with an associated discharge opening 50 (FIGURE 2) and the valve 32. In such a structure with more than two storage chambers, a plurality of partition wall structures within the container 30. The other components, such as the valve carrier plate and the closure body, may be configured as necessary to accommodate three or more storage chambers and valves. The storage chambers 40 (FIGURE 6) are adapted to each contain a separate constituent or material to be combined with another constituent or constituents during the dispersion process. Nevertheless, during the storage process, when the package is not being used to distribute a product, the constituents are kept separately within their respective storage chambers. It is contemplated that each material or constituent is of the type of substance that, when mixed with another constituent or constituents, reacts to form a combination product that is best used relatively quickly (e.g., a foaming cleaning product). Each constituent can be a fluent product, such as a liquid, gaseous material, or particulate material, including a powder or the like. The constituents can be components of an edible product, personal care product, industrial or home cleaning product, or other chemical composition (e.g., compositions for use in activities involving manufacturing, commercial or home maintenance, construction, agriculture, etc. .). The container 30 can be a squeezable container having a flexible wall or walls 44 that can be held by the user and tightened or compressed to increase the internal pressure within the container 30 to force the constituents out of the container storage chambers 40 and through of the structures of the dispersion system in the upper part of the container 30 as described in detail hereinafter. The outer container wall 44 typically has sufficient elasticity, inherent so that when the tightening forces are removed, the container wall 44 returns to its normal, unstressed shape. Such a squeezable wall structure is preferred in many applications but may not be necessary or preferred in other applications. For example, in some applications it may be desirable to employ a generally rigid container and instead pressurize the interior storage chambers 40 at selected times with pistons or other pressurization systems (not shown).

The closure body 36 is adapted to be assembled and retained on the upper end of the container 30. Specifically, the lower portion of the closure body 36 is adapted to be received in the cylindrical wall 56 at the upper end of the container 30. As shown in FIG. FIGURES 3 and 6, the closure body 36 includes a pair of inwardly extending ribs 60 which each engage the lower surface of the adjacent container flange 58 (FIGURE 6). The closure body 36 is preferably molded of a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and has sufficient elasticity to accommodate the force of the closure body 36 on the cylindrical portion 56 of the container so that the ribs 60 of the closure body are temporarily flex outwardly on the flanges 58 of the container until the ribs 60 of the closure body pass below the flanges 58 of the container and disengage inwardly in engagement below the flanges 58 of the container due to the inherent elasticity of the container. thermoplastic material from which the closure body 36 is molded. To accommodate this press-fit type mounting coupling, the upper surface of the rim 58 of the container has a generally conical configuration increasing in width with increasing distance from the upper end of the container 30. In an analogous manner, the lower surface of each rib 60 of the closure body extends further inward with increasing distance upwardly from the lower end of the closure body 36. As can be seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the closure body 36 includes a generally cylindrical upper portion 66, of reduced diameter, terminating in the upper part of the closure body 36. The upper portion 66 of reduced diameter defines an external helical thread 68 and an inner horizontal wall or retaining plate 70. Projecting upward from the holding plate 70 is a generally annular intermediate wall 72 and an inner hub 74. Projecting down into the hub 74 is a tab 80 (FIGURE 6). Between the intermediate wall 72 and the inner hub 74 are two flow passages 76 (a flow passage 76 which is visible in FIGURE 3 and the other flow passage 76 which is visible in FIGURE 2). Near the lower part of the upper portion 66, of the cylindrical closure body is a circumferential flange 84, extending inwardly.

(FIGURE 3). The flange 84 is adapted to engage, in a press fit relationship, the valve carrying plate 34 carrying the valves 32. The valve carrying plate 34 has a pair of walls 90 projecting "upwardly" (FIGURES 2 and 3) that they receive between them the projection tongue 80 downwardly of the closure body hub 74. In the first preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-13, the valve carrier plate 34 has a generally circular configuration with a peripheral flange 92 (FIGURES 2 and 3) which is adapted to be maintained in snap-fit engagement by the flange 84 inside the closing body. The closure body 36 is sufficiently resilient so that the valve carrier plate 34 can be snapped into the closure body 36 of the open lower end of the closure body 36 during the assembly process. The valve carrier plate 34 is not inserted into the closure body 36 until the valves 32 are initially arranged in the valve carrier plate 34. The valve carrier plate 34 includes two discharge passages 102 (FIGURE 2), and each discharge passage 102 is a generally cylindrical orifice through the valve carrier plate 34. As shown in FIGURE 3, the valve carrier plate 34 includes a frustoconical valve seat 104 around each discharge passage 102 for receiving one of the valves 32 in sealing relationship over the associated discharge passage 102. The valve carrier plate 34 includes two annular seal projections 108 projecting downward and received into one of the discharge openings 50 of the container (FIGURE 6) in a sealing relationship. The valve carrier plate 34 also includes two annular walls 112 each projecting upwardly around a different one of the valve seats 104 as shown in FIGURE 3. The annular walls 112 laterally locate the valves 32 relative to the seats 104. The preferred form of each valve 32 is similar to, and analogously functional to, the 3d valve described in US Patent No. 5,409,144 with reference to FIGS. 26-29 of US Patent No. 5,409,144. The description of the 3d valve described in US Patent No. 5,409,144 is incorporated herein by reference to the relevant degree and to the degree not inconsistent therewith. The valve 32 can be moved between a rest, closed position (shown in FIGURE 12) and an open, active position (shown in an inverted package in FIGURE 13). Valve 32 includes a face, central, flexible portion or head portion 130 having a concave, non-driven configuration (when viewed from the outside) and having two mutually perpendicular, intersecting dispersion slits 132 of equal length that Together they define a closed dispersion hole. The intersecting grooves 132 define four wings or petals in a generally sector-like fashion in the head portion 130, central concave The wings open outwardly from the point of intersection of the slits 132, in response to the increasing vessel pressure of sufficient magnitude, in the well-known manner described in US Patent No. 5,409,144. The valve 32 includes a sleeve or skirt 134 extending from the central valve wall or the head portion 130. At the outer end of the sleeve 134, there is a thin, annular projection 138 extending peripherally from the sleeve 134 in an inverse, angled orientation. The thin projection 138 emerges with a thicker, elongated peripheral protrusion 140 having a cross-section in the form of generally dovetail (as seen in FIGURE 12). To accommodate the valve seat 32 in the closure valve carrier plate 34, the frusto-conical configuration of the valve seat 104 has the same angle as the angle of the bottom, adjacent surface of the valve projection dovetail configuration. . The other (upper) surface of the valve projection 140 is held by the retaining plate 70 of the closure body. Around the bottom of each flow passage 76 is a frusto-conical surface 150 (FIGURE 3) at an angle that coincides with the angle of the upper, adjacent surface of the "dovetail configuration". protruding valve (FIGURE 6). This arrangement securely holds and holds the valve 32 without requiring special internal support structures or support members, adjacent the inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve 134 of the valve. This allows the region adjacent to the inner surface of the cylindrical valve sleeve 134 to be opened substantially free and clear to accommodate the movement of the valve sleeve 134 as described below. Valve 32 is an elastically flexible molded structure that is preferably molded from a thermoset elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber, natural rubber and the like. The valve 32 can also be molded of a thermoplastic elastomer. Preferably, the valve 32 is molded of silicone rubber, such as the silicone rubber sold by The Dow Chemical Company in the United States of America under the trade designation DC-595. The valve 32 can be molded with the slits 132. Alternatively, the valve slits 132 can subsequently be cut into the central head portion 130 of the valve 32 by suitable conventional techniques. When the valve 32 is suitably mounted within the valve carrying plate 34 as illustrated in FIGURE 6, the central head portion 130 of the valve 32 is recessed within the plate 34. However, when the container 30 is tightened to distribute the contents through the valve 32, then, the valve head portion 130 is forced out of its recessed position towards the end of the valve. the top 38 of the package. In use, the upper part 38 in the closure body 36 moves first to the open position as shown in FIGURES 9 and 10 and as described in detail below. Then the package is inverted and tightened. FIGURE 12 shows the orientation of the valve 32 when the container 30 first reverses before the container 30 is depressed. The container 30 is then depressed to increase the pressure within the container 30 above the ambient outside atmospheric pressure. This forces the constituent materials within the storage chambers of the container 30 towards the valves 32 and forces the valves 32 of the recessed or retracted positions (FIGURE 12) toward an outwardly extending position (shown in FIGURE 13) . The outward displacement of the portion 130 of the central head of each valve 32 is accommodated by the relatively thin, flexible sleeve 134. The sleeve 134 moves from a resting position, which projects inwardly (shown in FIGURE 12) to a pressurized position, displaced outwards and this occurs by means of the sleeve 134 which "rolls" along itself outward from the outer end of the package (towards the position shown in the thick lines in FIGURE 13). However, the valve 32 does not open (i.e., the slits 132 do not open) until the central valve head portion 130 has moved substantially at the end to a fully extended position (FIGURE 13). Indeed, as the valve head portion 130 begins to move outwards, the valve head portion 130 is initially subjected to radially inwardly compressive forces that tend to additionally resist opening of the slits 132. Also, the portion 130 of the central valve head generally retains its concave configuration inwardly as it moves outwards and even after it reaches the fully extended position. However, when the internal pressure becomes sufficiently high after the central valve head portion 130 is moved out to the fully extended position, then the slits 132 of the valve 32 open to distribute the flowing material (FIGURE 13) . The fluent material is then expelled or discharged through the open slits 132. For illustrative purposes, FIGURE 13 shows a fall 160 in a liquid, flowing material that is discharged. When the clamping pressure in the container 30 is the valve 32 closes, and the valve head 130 retracts to its resting position, recessed, within the valve carrier plate 34. If the container 30 is not being tightened, the weight of the flowable material in the valve 32 does not cause the valve 32 to open, or remain open. The dispersion action discussed above of each of the valves 32 typically can occur only after (1) the upper part 38 of the system has been moved to the open position (FIGURES 9-11), (2) the package is inverted, and (3) the container is tightened. For this purpose, the upper part 38 can be moved between a closed, lower position shown in FIGS. 4-7 and an open position shown in FIGS. 8-11. The upper part 38 includes a peripheral skirt 164 (FIGURE 9). The upper skirt 164 defines an internal thread 168 adapted to threadably engage the external thread 68 of the closure body as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9. The rotation of the upper portion 38 in one direction causes the upper portion 38 to move axially. upwardly away from the lowered position shown in FIGURE 6 to its fully raised position shown in FIGURE 9. The rotation of the upper part 38 in the other direction lowers the upper part 38. The upper part 38 defines an annular plate 170, upper, outer, a cylindrical intermediate wall 172, a plate 174 recessed, annular, frustoconical, an inner wall 176, cylindrical and a central dividing plate 178 (FIGURE 9). The central partition plate 178 includes or defines a plurality of openings 180 (FIGURES 8 and 9). The upper intermediate wall 172 is adapted to sealingly engage the intermediate wall 72 of the closure body. For this purpose, the inner, upper edge of the intermediate wall 72 of the closure body has a rib or rims 184 of annular seal projecting inward, small (as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 9) to seally engage the exterior surface of the cylindrical intermediate wall 172 of the upper part 38. The lower end of the inner, cylindrical upper wall 176 defines a sealing rim 186 for engaging the cylindrical surface of the hub 74 of the closure body 36 when the top portion 38 is move in the closed position, lowered as shown in FIGURE 6. With reference to FIGURE 9, the upper torsion part 38 can be characterized as defining at least one internal dispersion flow path defined under the recessed, frusto-conical plate 174. and inside the interior, cylindrical wall 176. The internal dispersion flow path is schematically illustrated by the arrows 192 in FIGURE 9. The internal dispersion flow path 192 communicates with the openings 180 in the dividing plate 178. When the upper torsion part 38 is in the closed, fully lowered position, illustrated in FIGURE 6, then the internal dispersion flow path 192 is blocked, occluded or closed by the frustoconical recessed stage 174 as is shown in FIGURE 6. A closed, sealed condition is maintained due to engagement of the annular rib 186 with the outer surface of the hub 74 and because the engagement between the annular rim 184 of the intermediate wall 72 of the body closing with the upper intermediate wall of torsion. The configuration of the upper torsional intermediate wall 172, the recessed plate 174, and the inner, cylindrical wall 176 can be characterized together as an occlusion structure or occlusion member cooperating with the closure body 36 when the upper portion 38 is in the lowered position (FIGURE 6) to occlude the interior dispersion flow path 192 and prevent the flowable product or material from being distributed from the system. However, when the torsion top 38 is rotated to effect the axial elevation of the torsion top 38 relative to the closure body 36, then the interior dispersion flow path 192 is opened as shown in FIGURE. 9 to allow the dispersion of the fluent product. Of course, the flowable materials in each chamber 40 of storage (FIGURE 9) do not mix and form a combination product until they have been forced through the valves 32. Typically, it does not occur until the package is reversed and the torsion top 38 is rotated to the full position open Then, a clamping force is applied to the container 30 to force the flowable materials from the storage chambers 40 through the valves 32 and into the interior dispersion flow path 192. The internal dispersion flow path 192 may alternatively be characterized as a mixing chamber wherein the two flow materials are mixed and combined to form a combination product which is then forced through the openings 180 in the dispersion partition plate 178. . With reference to FIGURES 4 and 6, it will be appreciated that when the torsion upper part 38 is in the closed, fully lowered position, the lower edge of the upper torsion flap 164 engages a support 200 in the closure body 36 in the lower portion 66 of reduced diameter (whose portion 66 of reduced diameter is clearly designated in FIGURE 2). This coupling between the lower part of the upper torsion flap 164 and the closure body 36 terminates the downward closing movement of the torsion top 38. The system also preferably includes a feature for terminating the upward opening movement of the torsion upper part 38 when the upper torsion part 38 is rotated in the other direction to open the system to the position illustrated in FIGS. 8-11. This feature includes a flexible splice member 210 extending outwardly in a cantilevered form of the cylindrical intermediate wall of the closure body. The splice member 210 is adapted to cooperate with a coupling tab or member 220 extending downwardly of the annular upper, upper torsional outer plate 170 (as shown in FIGURE 6, and having a shape-shaped configuration). of inverted L in cross section (as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11), the engaging tongue 220 necessarily rotates with the torsional upper part 38 when the upper torsion part 38 is rotated in the closure body 36. Coupling tongue 220 is located somewhat less than 180 ° from stationary splice 210 when upper torsion part 38 is in the fully lowered, fully closed position (FIGS. 7, 6, 5 and 4). The twist is rotated to the fully raised, fully open position (ie, in the opposite direction rotated as seen in FIGURES 7 and 11), the tongue 220 engages against the splice 210, and this prevents additional rotation of the torsion top 38 in the open address This prevents the upper torsion part 38 from unscrewing from the closure body 36. FIGURE 1 illustrates torsion top 38 in the fully closed, or fully lowered position. A "C" signal is provided at the top of the torsion top 38 at a location that is in alignment with a line 228 in the closure body 36 and a notch 230 in the container support 30 when the top portion 38 The torsion is in the fully closed position as shown in FIGURES 1, 4, and 5. When the torsion top 38 is rotated to the fully open, fully raised position shown in FIGS. 8-11, the signal " Or "in the upper part of the torsion upper part 38 moves in engagement with the closing body line 228 and the notch 230 of the container to indicate the fully open condition. It will be appreciated that during the assembly of the components by the system manufacturer, the upper torsion part 38 can be initially threaded onto the closure body 36. This can be done because the splicing member 210 or the coupling member 220, or both are sufficiently flexible when subjected to the forces arising during the threading assembly process. In particular, the splice tab 210 may be sufficiently flexible so that it can be forced from some radially inwardly towards the intermediate wall of the closure body as the leading end of the coupling tongue 220 moves against the radially outer surface of the splice member 210. The coupling tongue 220 may be sufficiently flexible so that it may be bent somewhat radially outward to allow the coupling tongue 220 to pass the splice member 210. Because the coupling tongue 220 is only connected at the top of the tongue 220 to the annular, upper torsional outer plate 170, the coupling tongue 220 will be relatively flexible in the radially outward direction if the upper part 38 of Twist is molded from conventional thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene or the like. Due to the shape of the splice member 210 and the coupling tab 220, either or both of the splice member 210 and the coupling tab 220 can be bent sufficiently to allow the coupling tab 220 to slide past the splice member 210. However, due to the shapes of the splicing member 210 and the coupling tongue 220, an attempt to unscrew the torsional upper part 38 from the closure body 36 will not be successful, and the coupling between the coupling tongue 220 and the member 210 splice will only work to finish the opening movement of the torsion upper part 38 in the fully raised, fully open position, as shown in FIGS. 88-11. It will be appreciated that a mixing chamber for the constituent materials of the storage chambers 40 of the container is not necessary or desired, then, the upper torsion part 38 can be eliminated. Further, if the torsion top 38 is removed, then the closure body 36 can be greatly simplified since it only needs to function as a member to retain the valves 32 in the valve carrier plate 34. A second embodiment of a dispersion system according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGURES 14 and 15. The second embodiment is a package that includes a container 30A having substantially the same structure as the container 30 described above for the first embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1-13. The second embodiment of the package includes a closure body 36A that snaps onto the container 30A in substantially the same manner as the closure body 36 of the first embodiment is assembled to the container 30 of the first embodiment, as discussed in FIG. _ above with reference to FIGURES 1-13. The closing body 36A of the second embodiment receives a valve bearing plate 34A which is similar to the valve carrier plate 34 of the first embodiment described in the foregoing with reference to FIGURES 1-13. The container 30A stops a pair of discharge openings 50A communicating with the discharge passages 102A defined in the valve carrying plate 34A. Disposed on the valve carrier plate 34A on each discharge passage 102A is a valve 32A. Each valve 32A is identical to the valve 32 of the first embodiment described in the foregoing with reference to FIGS. 1-13. Each valve 32A is adjusted against the valve carrier plate 34A by an underlying platen portion of the closure body 36A defining a flow passage 76A above, and in close proximity to one of the valves 32A. The closure body 36A includes an annular wall 72A extending upwardly. The wall 72A can function as a short discharge gutter. For this purpose, when the package is inverted and tightened, the constituent materials of the container 30A are discharged through the valves 32A and combined or mixed on the discharge sides of the valves 32A into channels 72A to form a product of combination. In a currently contemplated embodiment, a cap 138A can be provided to be mounted on the closure body 36A. The lid 138A is shown in imaginary with dashed lines in FIGURE 14. The lid 138A includes a ring-shaped, annular extending collar or tab 172A. with a seal flange 184A extending radially inwardly. The flange 184A meshes the outer cylindrical surface of the annular wall or gutter 72A. The lid 138A can be a separate piece that can be completely removed from the package. Alternatively, the cap 138A can be hingedly connected to the closure body 36A by means of a suitable articulation structure, such as an active joint, a compression joint, or a quick-action joint (not shown). Whether a cover 138A is used or not may be desirable in some applications to provide a releasable seal 302A that self-adheres to the upper end of the annular gutter 72A of the closure body and that can be pulled out of the gutter 72 before use. A seal 302A can be especially useful as a boarding stamp to prevent inadvertent discharge of the container 30A during shipment and storage. A seal 302A can also be provided in a tamper-evident form that can carry a portion torn in part of the closure body 36A to indicate removal of, or tampering with, the seal 302A. FIGURES 16 and 17 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention in the form of a package including a container 30B, a two-valve arrangement 32B, a closure body 36B, a valve bearing plate 34B, and an upper portion 38B of torsion.

The container 30B is substantially identical to the container 30 for the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1-13. The closure body 36B is substantially similar to the closure body 36 of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1-13 except that the closure body 36B of the third embodiment has an annular, annular wall 72B with a seal flange 184B that faces radially outwardly (instead of radially inwardly as flange 184 in the first embodiment as shown in FIGURES 3 and 6). The radially outwardly facing seal flange 184B is adapted to engage the inner cylindrical surface of an annular, annular wall 172B projecting downwardly into the interior of the torsion top 38B. The lower end of the intermediate wall 172B includes a seal flange 173B directed radially inwardly to engage the cylindrical, outer surface of the intermediate, annular wall 72B in the closure body 36B. The central part of the closure body 36B defines a hub having a cylindrical wall 74B. The outer cylindrical surface of the wall 74B is adapted to be sealedly engaged by a seal flange 186B at the lower end of an annular wall 176B projecting downwardly from the first torsion top 38B within the 172B intermediate wall. The central, upper portion of the upper torsion portion 38B defines a dividing plate or plate 178B that includes a plurality of dispersion openings 180B. The system includes two valves 32B which are each disposed within a discharge passageway 102B in the valve bearing plate 34B. Each valve 32B is molded as a one piece unitary portion of an elastomeric material 308B having a central, thick region 310B. The part of the elastomeric material 308B is clamped against the valve carrier plate 34B by the underlying portions of the closure body 36B. The part of the elastomeric material 308B can alternatively be characterized as a valve arrangement structure that includes the valves 32B as unitary portions thereof. The structure of the valve arrangement or the elastomeric material 308B is a molded, flexible, unitary elastic structure which is preferably molded from a thermoplastic elastomeric material such as silicone rubber, natural rubber and the like. The structure 308B can also be molded from a thermoplastic elastomer. Preferably, the structure 308B is molded from a silicone rubber, such as silicone rubber sold by The Dow Chemical Company in the United States of America under the trade designation DC-595. The configuration and operation of each valve 32B within the elastomeric structure 308B are substantially identical to the configuration and operation of the valves 32 of the first embodiment described in the foregoing with reference to FIGS. 1-13. The closure body 36B includes a helical thread 68B, and the upper torque portion 38B includes a helical correlation thread 168B. It will be appreciated that the rotation of the upper torsion portion 38B in one direction will cause the upper torsion part 38B to move downward in the closed, fully lowered position illustrated in FIGURE 16. The rotation of the torsion upper portion 38B in FIG. the opposite direction will cause an upper torsion part 38B to rise until the annular seal wall 176B inside the torsion top 38B is disengaged from the wall 74B of the hub of the closure body. This opens the internal dispersion flow path defined under the torsion top 38B. The package can then be inverted and tightened to force the constituent materials of the container 30B through the valves 32B into the interior dispersion flow path defined adjacent the raised, open torsion upper part 38B. This internal dispersion flow path also functions as a mixing chamber where the constituent materials are mixed to form a combination product that then flows out through the dispersion openings 180B. A notation retention system is provided to prevent the upper torsion portion 38B from being rotated beyond a certain increased elevation. The rotation system employs the annular sealing ridge 173B and the annular sealing rim 184B which function as coupling members. The profiles of these ridges allow them to slide past each other during the assembly of the body 36B and the upper part 38B. However, after of an assembly, the flanges 173B and 184B will engage when the upper part 38B is rotated to raise the flange 173B to the elevation of the flange 184B, and the profiles of the < • > flanges are caught together to prevent further upward movement of the upper part 38B. When the torsion top 38B is in the closed, fully lowered position as illustrated in FIGURE 16, the package is substantially leak-proof, and the package can be transported and stored in such a configuration. Depending on the size, distribution, and arrangement of the openings 180B in the upper part of the torsion top 38B, a variety of dispersion flow configurations can be achieved, including spraying and spraying configurations or designs. A fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 18-20 in the form of a package including a container 30C, a unitary valve arrangement structure or part 308C with integral valves 32C, a retainer plate 37C, and an upper portion 38C. The container 30C is similar to but not exactly the same as the container 30 in the first embodiment discussed in the foregoing with reference to FIGS. 1-13. In particular, the upper end of the container 30C of the fourth embodiment defines a neck 412 having an external screw helical thread 404C. The system does not include a closure body such as the closure body 36 in the first embodiment described in the foregoing with reference to FIGS. 1-13. Instead, the upper portion 38C of the fourth embodiment has a skirt 406C that directly receives the neck 412 of the container. The skirt 420 defines an internal helical thread 410C threadably engaged with the thread 404C of the container neck. The container 30C defines two storage compartments or chambers 40C that are internally separated by a dividing wall structure 42C. The upper end of the neck of the container defines a pair of cylindrical collars 52C each defining a discharge opening SOC communicating with one of the container storage chambers 40C. Each valve 32C is formed as a unit portion of the one-piece elastomeric valve arrangement structure 308C. The single piece 308C incorporates each valve 32C as a unitary portion thereof and further acts as a valve supporting structure for holding the valves 32C within the discharge openings 50C of the container. Thus, unlike the first three embodiments described in the foregoing with reference to FIGS. 1-17, the fourth embodiment does not incorporate a separate valve carrier plate (such as the valve carrier plate 34 of the first embodiment, the plate 34A carrying valves of the second embodiment, or plate 34B carrying valves of the third embodiment). Instead, the single elastomeric part 308C includes two internal seal projections 108C, one at each discharge opening 50C. Each seal projection 108C seals against the inner cylindrical surface of the collar 52C of the surrounding container. In addition, the elastomeric part 38C includes peripherally extending portions 416C that seally engage the outer cylindrical surface of each collar 52C of the container. The downwardly extending portions 416C arise and extend between the two collars 52C along the longitudinal centerline of the container 30C. Each valve 32C is molded as a unitary portion of the elastomeric part 308C to provide valve structures that are substantially identical to, and operating in the same manner as, valves 32, 32A and 32C of the first embodiment, second embodiment, and third embodiment, respectively described in the foregoing. The elastomeric part 308C is held on top by the retaining member 37C. The retainer 37C has a disk-like configuration generally as can be seen in FIGS. 19 and 20. The retainer plate 37C also defines openings or passages 422C to establish communication of the valves 32C through the system. The elastomeric part 38C can be molded from the same material used to mold the valves 32 of the first embodiment described in the foregoing with reference to FIGS. 1-13. The aforedescribed structure of the elastomeric part 308C provides an effective sealing engagement with the upper end of the container 30C so that the part 308C thus also functions as a seal for sealing the upper part of the container 30C. The upper part 38C meshes the upper surface of the container 37C. The retainer 37C is pressed by the top 38C hermetically against the elastomeric part 308C due to the threaded coupling between the top 38C and the neck 402C of the container 30C. The upper part 38C presses against the retainer 37C along two annular, concentric regions of the retainer 37C - an outer, annular region meshed by an annular flange 428C, outer of the upper part 38C, and an inner, annular region meshed by an annular projection 430C, interior projecting from the interior of the upper part 38C. The distal end of the upper portion 38C defines and includes a dividing plate or plate 178C defining a plurality of dispersion openings 180C. The size and arrangement of the openings 180C can be varied to provide a desired spray design or spray pattern. Alternatively, only a large opening 180C can be provided to facilitate the dispersion of the product as an individual jet. In some applications, it may be desirable to additionally provide a shipping seal 312 over the openings 180C. The shipping seal 302C may have a suitable adhesive to secure the seal 302C to the upper surface of the upper portion 38C, and as an adhesive may allow the seal 302C to peel off easily before use. When seal 302C is in place, inadvertent discharge of product from container is avoided. In this way, the 302C seal can be used advantageously by the manufacturer to initially seal the package and prevent leakage during shipping, storage and handling before use. It will be readily apparent from the above detailed description of the invention and from theillustrations thereof that numerous variations and modifications may be made without departing from the actual spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A dispersion system comprising: a container having at least two interior storage chambers for each containing a different flowable material, each storage chamber including a separate, associated discharge opening; and at least two flexible valves, elastically each associated with and sealed on a different one of the discharge openings, each valve has an initially closed dispersion opening opening in response to a differential between the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve facing the associated discharge opening and the pressure acting against the side of the closed valve facing away from the associated discharge opening. The system according to claim 1, wherein each valve opens outwardly when the pressure against the side of the valve that falls forward facing the associated storage chamber exceeds the pressure acting against the side of the valve that is facing away from the associated storage chamber by a predetermined amount; and each valve returns from an open condition to a closed condition after the pressure acting on the side of the valve facing the chamber decreases of associated storage. The system according to claim 1, wherein the container includes an exterior wall that (I) defines part of each storage chamber; (II) is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the deformation when subjected to the clamping forces; and (III) is sufficiently elastic to return to a normal configuration, not tensioned when the clamping forces are released. The system according to claim 1, wherein the container has two storage chambers and two discharge openings; the container has a separate collar around each discharge opening; and the system includes a valve carrier plate that is retained in the closure body, has two discharge passages each disposed on a different one of the container discharge openings, has two annular seal projections each received within a different one. of the container discharge openings in sealing relationship with the container around the discharge openings, defines two frustoconical seats, each defined around a different one of the discharge passages for receiving one of the valves in sealing relation on one different from the download passages, and defines two annular walls, each defined around a different one of the seats to laterally locate one of the valves in relation to one of the seats. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system includes a closure body that is mounted to the container on top of the discharge openings; and the system includes a valve carrier plate that is retained within the closure body, is disposed in sealing relationship with the container around the container discharge openings, has at least two discharge passages each disposed on a different one. of the container discharge openings, and each disposed on a different one of the container discharge openings, and defines at least two seats each defined around a different one of the discharge passages for receiving one of the valves in relation to of sealing on a different one of the discharge passages. The system according to claim 5, wherein the closure body includes a retainer plate on the valve carrier plate; the holding plate defines at least two flow passages, each aligned with a different one of the discharge passages in the valve carrier plate; and the retaining plate sealingly meshes a peripheral portion of each of the valves. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the system further includes an upper part mounted by the threaded coupling on the closure body for movement between an elevated position and a lowered position.; the upper part defines at least one internal dispersion flow path of the closure body and at least one dispersion opening which is in communication with the internal dispersion flow path to accommodate the dispersion of a flowing product of the system; and the upper part defines an occlusion member that cooperates with the closure body when the upper part is in the lowered position to occlude the internal dispersion flow path and prevent the product from disperse from the system, and open the flow path of internal dispersion when the upper part moves away from the lowered position to allow the dispersion of a flowing product. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a removable, flexible seal strip that self-adheres releasably to the top to seal at least one opening closed in the upper part. 9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the closure body includes a splice member; And the upper part includes a coupling member shaped to engage the splice member and prevent movement of the upper part beyond a predetermined raised position in the closure body. The system according to claim 9, wherein, the splice member and the coupling member are shaped to slide together when the top part is initially screwed into the closure body; And the upper part and the closure body are sufficiently flexible to accommodate movement of the coupling member by passing the splice member when the upper part is initially screwed on the closure body to locate the upper part in the lowered position. 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the valve is a separate article. The system according to claim 1, wherein a single piece of elastomeric material includes each of the molded valves as unitary portions of a single piece of elastomeric material. 13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system includes a closing body that is mounts in the container over the discharge openings; and the system includes a removable cover disposed in the closure body.